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The writing was on the wall, although I easily thought who left the ballroom this week was toss up between three couples. But only two left? Who, stay tuned?

The evening began with the return of the Encore Dance. What better way to start the show than with Gilles and Cheryl’s smoking hot, sexy Argentine Tango. Hot.

The first couple announced into the bottom three, no surprise, Holly Madison and Dmitri Chaplin.

Musical guest Kevin Rudolph performed his current single, Let It Rock accompanied by Chelsie, Julianne, Lacey, Derek, Maksim, and someone else who’s name I missed.

The second couple to be placed in the bottom three, no surprise, Steve O and Lacey Schwimmer.

Last season professional Louis Van Amstel choreographed a beautiful waltz presentation (the things little girls dream of, and some of us big girls too.)

The final couple going into the bottom three, no surprise, Steve Wozniak and Karina Smirnoff.

The final musical guest of the evening was the 1990s legendary Motown trio, Boyz II Men singing a medley of Motown hits to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Hitsville USA.Boyz II Men were companied by Cheryl, Kym, Tony, and Dmitri.

No dance off tonight just getting to business, the first couple to leave the ballroom tonight was Holly Madison and Dmitri Chaplin; the second couple to leave, the popular Steve Wozniak and Karina Smirnoff.

The first welcomed surprise to me came in the first ten minutes when Steve Wozniack and Karina Smyrnoff were announced among the first four couples safe for the week.

It was couples dancing night affianced Karina Smyrnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy along with Tony Dovalani and Dmitri Chaplin accompanied musical guest Darryl Hall and John Oates to their classic Man Eater. Incredibly hot performance… by the dancers.
Corky Ballas and Cloris Leachman returned to the ballroom to demonstrate the two new dances that will challenge the couples next week: The Lindy Hop and the Argentine Tango. The second musical guest of the evening was the Grammy award winning, British phenom Adele singing the award winning Chasing Pavements accompanied by married couple Alex Maso and Edyta Sliwinskia.

All that came before the bottom of the hour and the announcement of Holly Madisen and Dmitri Chaplin along with Denise Richards and Maksim Chmerkovskiy making the week’s dance off. Dmitri and Maks might think twice about dancing with the musical stars.

Repeating their Samba from the night before, Holly and Dmitri the couple improved their performance and score (by 1 point) receiving straight 6s for 18 points.

Denise and Maks reprised their Samba earning from the judges 6 – 7 – 7 for 20 points, 4 points better than last night. Not enough as Denise and Maks leave the ballroom.

Next week it will be a double elimination, yep, two stars will get the ax. Until then…

The injuries continue. How Steve Wozniack made it through tonight’s dance I will never know, except it was with willpower, humor, and a zest for life. This man may never perfect it, but I’m not sure he can be out done when it comes to effort. He has a good American, never say die attitude. Bravo. On that note he may end up going home this week unless wiser brains prevail and Holly gets sent packing.

The ballroom dance of the week was the elegant and up beat Foxtrot; the Latin dance was the sexy, carnival flavored Samba. How did our couples match up?

Denise Richards and Maksim Chmerkovskiy opened the competition with a less than sizzling Samba. We’ll truth be Maks always sizzles, Richards was just a fizzle it was boring and in Bruno Tomioli’s words “Flat.” The judges were generous scoring them 5 – 6 – 5 for 16 on the night.

Chuck Wicks and Julieann Hough gave the first Foxtrot of the evening. He was heads above his past two performances, elegant, fluid, and impressives. The judges liked them too, scoring the couple 8 – 7 – 8 for 23 points.

Holly Madison and Dmitri Chaplin attempted a Samba. Madison’s performance was as stiff and personality-less, she doesn’t have a dancing bone in her body and she whines. Constantly. Or as the hubby said, they were scored ten points too hight. The judges gave then 5 – 6 – 6 for 17 points.

Steve – O and Lacey Schwimmer danced a Foxtrot. Coming off of last week’s injured back he gave it a valiant effort just before he hurt himself again…twice. This time back and ankle. The judges scored them straight 5s for 15 points.

Lawrence Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska Samba’d. The dance showed good foot work, good rhythm, good musicality, and they stayed in sync during some tricky footwork. The judges scored them 7 – 6 – 7 for 20 points.

Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas delivered an elegant Foxtrot. Beautiful and elegant. She had one movement that wasn’t right, but it was still beautiful. She has a definite polish to her movements despite fighting the gymnastic background. The judges loved it too, scoring them the first straight 9s on the night for 27 points.

Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke offered up a delicious Samba. Good syncronicity, good foot work and hip action. The judges scored them the second string of 9s on the night for 27 points.

David Alan Grier and Kym Johnson danced a wonderful Foxtrot. Kym smartly choreographed the opening to showcase her Celeb, and he did it right. The number offered a solid ability, nice musicality, good extensions, and turns. The judges didn’t see it the same way giving them a mere straight 8s for 24 points.

Steve Wozniack and Karina Smyrnoff danced a Samba… Woz did it with a pulled hamstring that sent him to the emergency room earlier in the week (I think the ambulance district is on ABC speed dial #1.) Despite his injuries and the offer to let him bow out of the competition gracefully, Woz danced with personality, vitality, and little ability. This man makes me tear up at his effort because of his determination and his joy; his dancing… well not so much. The judges weren’t kind scoring him 4 – 3 – 3 (come on three’s?) for 10 points. This man rocks.

Melissa Rykroff and Tony Dovalani danced an elegant Foxtrot. She is so charming and delightful to watch dance. The couple were elegant, upbeat, classy, and offered up great musicality. The judges loved it too, straight 9s for 27 points.

Lil’ Kim and Derek Hough danced a Samba. She’s good, but there is a bit of a disconnect between her upper body movement and attitude and her lower body. She definitely has hip action. The judges scored them 8 – 8 – 9 for 25 points.

Ty Murray and Chelsea Hightower offered up the final Foxtrot of the night. Wow, he’s improving by leaps and bounds. His movements were sooth and graceful. He shows a nice personality in his dance and interviews. The judges scored them 8 – 8 – 7 for 23 points.

Three couples tie for the top of the leader board with 27 points: Shawn and Mark, Gilles and Cheryl, and Melissa and Derek. Steve W and Karina are at the bottom of the leader board and on the verge of going home with a mere 10 points.

Cele has done a great job recapping Dance Wars, which I never got a chance to watch. See, there’s this job at a certain agency and it requires me to work nights and long hours…. No, it’s not the CIA. I KNOW you were thinking that….Jenny Partridge and the CIA. The two just go hand in hand….

Anyway, the announcement of the next lineup for DWTS was announced, as Cele said.

Actress Marlee Matlin

Magician Penn Jillette

Hairspray stage star Marissa Jaret Winokur

Radio host and actor Adam Carolla

Olympic ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi

Latin heartthrob Crisitian de la Fuente

Tennis star Monica Seles

Singer Mario

Actor Steve Guttenberg

NFL Dolphins Football star Jason Taylor

Actress Shannon Elizabeth

Actress Priscilla Presley

I think this is REALLY cool. The coolest lineup yet. I mean, if Penn Jillette’s partner makes him mad, will he make her disappear (or spurt blood?)? Do ice skating and dance REALLY have that much in common? Can you turn that many times without the aid of a blade and some ice? Can Marlee Matlin (one of my heroes) really hear the music, even though she’s deaf? All in all, it’s going to be great fun to watch.

So how about you? Any thoughts on the new lineup?

Oh, and don’t forget to check out the cover for POINTE AND SHOOT, the third Jenny T. Partridge Dance Mystery, coming out May 6 from Berkley Prime Crime.